I've just had another dangerous, life altering experience courtesy of our local health system, which could be best describe with the analogy, near death by lethal injection, except slowly and tortuously. I had metalwork taken out of my foot, then a couple of 4 inch screws inserted to hold my heel on, however, the surgical incision became infected and I ended up in hospital for 5 weeks. They saturated by body with the most potent anti-biotic they had intravenously but I gradually built up an intolerance to this drug. The doctor and nurses kept defending the wonders of modern medicine, ignored my complaints and symptoms, insisting that the high temperatures, hot and cold fevers, aching joints, itchy and stinging skin, high white cell count in my blood was all because of the infection, however, I suspected it to be the medication. After all, what would a long haired, middle aged vegetarian, cannabis smoking hippie looking person know about it anyway? Well, I know I walked into their hospital perfectly healthy, now I feel like total shit now and I got infected by a super-bug in their hospital that was resistant to whatever they had to fight it with. My logic and questions to them was, why is the infection persisting, do they even know what the bacterium is, and eventually I just refused to take their drugs and transferred to another hospital. Sure enough my suspicions were correct, I was having allergic reactions to the medication and I probably would have been dead if they kept giving it to me. The smart guys in the Infectious disease unit seem to have things under control for the moment, but time will tell.

The buddy in the next bed to me was a 76 yr old alcoholic, and every morning for a week we had the same conversations about how mentholated spirits leaves your mouth dry and whether or not the hospital bed was good enough to die in (mine wasn’t, needed to be at least 2 inches longer) I eventually clued in that this guy had burnt out a few too many brain cells, so out of desperation I picked up a copy of Time magazine to read about the latest buzz words in the business world, which was the Chinafication of the world and Modern Eastern Philosophy. I asked my squaw if she could find a bookshop and get me a book on Modern Eastern Philosophy, which she did after 3 days of searching. I affectionately call her my squaw because she is Canadian with some Indian blood, besides she has gun licences, can catch more fish than I and usually has the fire going before I even think of collecting wood.

Anyway, this book was kinda cool, all about forgetting popular thought and looking inward, searching for your own ideas and creativity rather than paraphrasing other people’s ideas and knowledge and make the innovations yourself. If everybody in the whole world utilized their own brain power, like, become Nerds, did what they knew to be right, then the world would be saved. Religions would be reduced to the same level as Astrology and Taro Card reading, Politicians with their war mongering talk would be ignored and morality and values would be realized from rational thought like a science. Eventually all these people with the same nerd inclinations form societies, much like Cannabis Culture I guess. So I think that I can go with this, I've been a cannabis nerd since I subscribed to Google Alerts on the subject “Cannabis” for at least 3 years and have read just about all the news that the Internet has to offer on a daily basis about cannabis, then smoke heaps and forget most of what I read, so I definitely qualify. Modern Eastern Philosophy, man I can dig it.

Now that I’m back home, my inbox is full with 5 weeks’ worth of Google Cannabis Alerts to catch up on, and one of the best stories so far is all about a whole new and exciting area of science surrounding that strong, sweet and beautiful smell of bud and all the potential healing properties it has. They call the compounds Terpenes and cannabis has plenty of them meaning that there are heaps of other medicinal qualities to this plant not previously thought of. If you goto http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner07142011.html Fred Gardner writes about it all far better than I can. But I believe there is something in this because I've always gone for the strongest smelling buds and smoked them first and they are always an interesting and different smoke. These terpenes evaporate quickly, so by growing your own, a person has the “Fresh is Best” advantage.

The guy doing the research on all this “phytocannabinoid-terpenoid interactions” Ethan Russo, must also be into Modern Eastern Philosophy because he is one of the biggest Cannabis nerds I've ever read. He is a neurologist and ethnobotanist, working with the Sativex team as senior medical adviser at G.W. Pharmaceuticals. These recent research results are to be published in the British Journal of Pharmacology soon and will change a lot of thinking about cannabis. I'm still amazed how Satavex can be legal, it's just Cannabis in a spray canister and apparently all terpenes, whether from mint, sage, oregano or anything else are already regarded as harmless by the FDA.

Getting back to my little superbug problem, one of the hundred or so Cannabis terpenes is good as a new anti-biotic to kill these bacteria that have become immune to conventional medications. I'm now thinking that all I need is some bud in a plastic bag over my foot and I'll be healed, the bacteria will die from the Cannabis smell. If I want to get right down and nerdy about this, I should use a plastic bag that lets the carbon and oxygen pass through it so that the bud can breathe and not sweat. The bag should be changed daily though, which raises the question of what to do with the puss soaked bud. My theory is not to waste it, that if I was to smoke this used bud, then that might give my immune system the antibodies against these superbugs forever, but I dunno, what do you all think, should I or shouldn't I?

Not sure I like the idea of smoking puss-soaked bud. The puss itself is the body purging the infection so the very infection bacteria itself will them have saturated the bud. I personally don't think that's the greatest for your health but again I don't know.

I seriously hope you get better soon as it sounds like you have some very serious medical issues your dealing with.

Thanks for the sentiments, I'm not likely to be over this for some time yet. I guess I try to have a sense of humor about it all but I do realize what a wonderful plant this is and that it can help so many people with very serious problems. When you think where penicillin comes from, it doesn't sound too enticing ether, just an attempt at some off-humor.

When I read about this idea that cannabis has the potential to kill super-bugs, a very recent discovery I thought I'd share it here from my perspective. It is fascinating that even Cannabis aromas have healing properties too and highlights the importance that people need to be able to grow their own.

The moral and ethical bias against Cannabis is such a ridiculous concept and these fools against it have no right what so ever to have these opinions, not any more as far as I'm concerned.

firstly, repopulate your intestinal track with beneficial bacteria

research grapefruit seed extract as it kills bacteria internally, but use it along with beneficial bacteria

research led lights, red and blue kill bacteria - even ultra-violet, like ultra-violet tooth-brush sanitizers

and speaking of sanitizers, don't know the condition of the bottom of your feet or toes, but sanitize your footwear - how? - ultra-violet light works best or even stick a compact fluorescent inside

don't got the funding - chase the sun. stick your incision in a sun-ray and let mother nature kill off the chances of that skin infection re-occurring

and lastly, don't let me stop your cannabis research

Sorry to hear you've got the problem and have experienced incompetant help.
On the lighter side,the concept of drying that puss soaked pot and smoking it reminds me of what I would think of if I were in your position.
I understand your idea of building an imunity,but question taking a chance of reinfecting yourself.

Probably best dump the shit.

Yep, I'm onto what you suggest, thanks. The drug given to me intravenously that near killed me was Timentin, there are reports of deaths from being poisoned by it. I'm home now on an oral ant-biotic, which seems to be fine and will be on it for six weeks, unfortunately it makes a person more susceptible to sunburn, so I can't take too much sun. I'm mostly laying down with my foot up anyway, can't do much else just yet.

We have been witness to reports of successes in self medicating with the 'goo' of Rick Simpson fame. Cannabis indica only is to be stressed here in warning. The high potency cannabis sativa does not have the required cbd content needed. Oddly the cheap brick Mexican does have some cbd's and could be used in a pinch. Or, get a brick and the tell the squaw to get cooking.

Now, if you really want to see the latest on off the chart cannabis information check out my website www.universalorthodox.org We have the studies on marijuana in the Bible http://universalorthodox.org/Marijuana%20in%20the%20Bible.htm as the revelations of the Second Coming of Jesus the Anointed with cannabis, you can be entertained by checking out my youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU9MXZu28Zs of that title while you recuperate. Don't believe that Jesus is the Anointed? Well then, check out the Doctrine of the Revelatory Word in the Holy Anointing oil of Moses you antichrist freak . . . http://universalorthodox.org/universal_orthodox_doctrine_of_the_revelatory_word.htm peace

Arghhh… I appreciate you telling me all about Hash Oil, but your communicating with one really pissed off Aussie farmer right now, who this year got wiped out by a cat 5 cyclone and since then has been in hospital for 5 weeks, can't walk and can't grow or water anything, if you knew anything about growing anything you would know it needs watering before 5 weeks. Besides my seed is gone and I probably haven't even got any traces of cannabis in my hair follicles any more, is been so long I've had a joint. So be off with your cheap bit of cyber real estate and “cut and paste” articles, can't you even put a search engine on that site?

I'm going through a, “OK, I'll go conventional medicine” phase right now and I'm totally unimpressed, because it nearly killed me and I've just stopped taking the latest antibiotics too.

I pointed to an article by Fred Gardner, a well respected activist since the Vietnam War years who is right behind the Cannabis Community. His article is about a guy named Ethan Russo who will soon be published in the British Journal of Pharmacology with 150 citations. If you knew anything about anything you would appreciate Fred Gardner's credentials and what a magnificent achievement Russo has made and its significance. It means acceptance by the British medical fraternity that there are even more significant medical benefits associated with Cannabis than previously known. This might not mean much to you if you're from the United States, because your Government believes Cannabis has no medical benefits whatsoever, but the Australian Government has always taken the same medical stance as the British.

You mention CBD, just one of the two major Cannabinoids, Russo on the other hand proposes medical uses for all the minor Cannabinoids, as well as for previously unthought-of Terpenoids. I guess in 15-20 years time we might see the religious sector come to some sort of revelations. You probably didn’t even do me any justice and click on the link I provided, so here it is again, http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner07142011.html it is the real topic of this thread and you are welcome to leave a comment about this issue. You might even feel gracious enough to thank me for pointing you to this as it just might have advanced your knowledge of Cannabis astronomically.

Hey Fook. Great thread. Stay in touch and be well. -Cat.

Fook...My condolences go out to you...its never easy to be put through the Western Medical Ringer!! After my ELEVENTH major operation in just over 5 years, I am left with a chronic condition that may take my life...simply because the system chose to ignore TREATING with a preventative mindset.

Fred Garner and I have chatted over the years...and the man is working wonders with just ONE compound...imagine the WORLD of possibilities that exist out there!!

I have great respect for the team @ GW...and I sincerely hope that they get the chance to low-ball the FDA with Sativex, but knowing the stranglehold that Dronabinol and Cesamet have, its an uphill battle.

While I am sure that you have read about a number of very interesting facts regarding cannabis compounds and how our bodies work synergestically with them...I want to invite you to read about the work I have been doing. Im a 30 year old husband and father of our 3 year old baby girl...I am permanently disabled, my wife is disabled, and our 3 year old is healthier than the two of us put together. I decided...6 years ago...I had ENOUGH; enough of the stigma, enough of the "medical" BS in the cannabis system, enough...period.

So, I took my experiences...from the operating table, from the countless dozens of narcotics, antiemetics, antiepileptics, antidepressants, etc...I used all the knowledge gained from RESEARCHING my own conditions over the years, in order to FIGURE OUT HOW I could treat myself successfully, safely, efficiently, and efficaciously. It was roughly around Spring of 2007, I discovered that I needed HELP. My ideas were new, innovative, and outside of the box; they needed a test group...subjective and intensely documented. SO; I STARTED EPSILON NWA (New World Apothecaries)...and within a few months, I was providing free medicinal products to just over a dozen clinical trial patients (with conditions ranging from Crohns to HIV+, from Epilepsy to Stage IV Colorectal Cancer...and a few minor conditions as well).

Long story short...what I started 6 years ago...has grown exponentially!! I've treated over 6 dozen patients, successfully pushed 7 cancer patients into remission (3 of which, are now tumor/cancer free), and I have developed methods of extraction of endocannabinoids that is completely free of residual chemical and abides to all FDA extraction regulations (a patented technique). I give as much as possible, but now, I am suffering from a cerebral spinal fluid leak and potentially...have an advanced stage tumor in my colon. I spent the past year in and out of the hospital...PICC lines, Vancomyacin, kidney stones, my body was RIPPED to shreds...after I had gained some of my best health stats to date (after 1 year on my OWN Epsilon med regimen).

SO...now, I am working on finishing THE BIG ONE...research that has been underway for the past 3+ years, will be released TO THE PUBLIC this summer 2012. I am doing this because I am SICK AND TIRED of watching the MEDICAL/PHARMACEUTICAL GIANTS make their blood money from the misery and illness of their "patients." We have this idea ENGRAINED in our minds, that curing something like cancer requires: $$$$, professional medical advice/access, RX-only medicines, radiation/chemo, etc. Well, the truth is...cancer rates only developed with the industrial revolution...before that, people USED the LAND and the life that grows from the earth, to heal.

I could keep going off on a random rant, but I apologize...if I do, it will never end!! That is one of the unfortunate downsides to my condition (CSF leak, causing my brain to sag and place pressure on the occipital opening...seizures...lost/unaccounted-for time...and worse). I hardly remember the first sentence of this comment...and by the time I finish this paragraph, I wont remember the way I started it out either!

So, just as you have great respect for some new found ways to look at the way you medicate, I encourage you to see what I've been working on!! (facebook.com/EpsilonCo & wix.com/djbds2/epsilon)

I will be publishing my research "novella" fairly soon..but in the meantime, I will be posting some rather unknown...or lesser known FACTS about this CONCEPT of cannabis being proper in medicinal applications. Call me crazy...many people have...but, the ONLY way to know the truth about cannabis is to SEE the research from every angle. I have seen MIRACLES in the past 3 years, plain and simple. I have a TEAM of people now, who keep me in check, to make sure I dont stop writing and working...regarldess of when I get tired, sick, or have seizures!! This is incredibly important stuff we are dealing with...and the MOST important aspect, is THE TRUTH...being spread amongst the people, like yourself.

I can leave you with this one small tidbit...

With the HUNDREDS of terpenes/terpenoids that can be found in a random cut of cannabis, I can name FIVE that you should not go without. In fact, FIVE are VITAL to a proper therpeutic regimen when treating cancer, as they have direct impact on the synergy of both CB1/CB2 receptors with endocannabinoids. The brain's LIMBIC system...the EMOTIONAL brain, is where inhaled terpenoids have their biggest impact...its also where a VERY high concentration of cannabinoid receptors can be found. COINCIDENCE? Not quite. Heres the problem...some of those MAJORLY important terpenoids/terpenes, are found in very irrelevant amounts in even the BEST of "medicinal strains." While you may find a great strain with high levels of Myrcene (that will encourage better absorption of cannabinoids through the same cannabinoid receptors it works on), that same strain will probably have high levels of Phytol. Phytol...acts through Isoprene Metabolism, via the Cholesterol breakdown...and TRUST me when I say, it is NOT a terpene compound you want to be ingesting/inhaling in significant doses. So, just as it relates to a balancing act...cannabinoids and terpenoids/terpenes must be properly balanced for therapeutic efficacy. The PROBLEM IS: so much hybridization has developed a WORLD of cannabis that contains unnatural terpenoids...and even the "GOOD" terpenes/terpenoids, are found in such irrelevant amounts, their presence is practically worthless if you measure success on a THERAPEUTIC BASELINE SCALE.

So...if a strain with 0.46% Myrcene content is said to BLAST YOU OFF by your local collective's oh-so-knowledgable budtender who just got his unofficial terpene training from one of the many cannabis labs jumping on the new terpene-bandwagon...guess what??

You should trust your BODY. Only YOUR body will determine what is beneficial for you. If you have overwhelming emotional responses to smoking/vaporizing/ingesting (including increased heart rate/blood pressure, faint/lightheadedness, racing thoughts, etc), KNOW THIS: that is not efficacious. Terpenes are not doing you any favors when your limbic system is overwhelmed...but especially when they are being combusted by smoking, vaporizing, and/or chemical extractions that corrupt their organic structure. If you want REAL HELP...give your regimen a different approach!! Try P73 Mediterranean Oregano Oil (sublingual dose, 30 minutes prior to cannabis intake), followed by medicating with a strain that is lab tested to show HIGH cannabinoid-family peaks (with low terpene content).

I have run off course already!! Please consider my rant...somewhat sensible. If the pressure inside my skull wasnt so insane, I would be writing all night!! I encourage you to take a look at my work, then once you have time, check out another great source of info from ccic.net.

Much love and thanks.

-Chef Dave (Epsilon Proprietor)